I was elected to serve on the Costa Mesa City Council in 2016. Since then, we've made great progress on many important issues for the community, including homelessness, Sober Living Home regulations, environmental sustainability, public safety, and fiscal management.
I've proudly served as the Mayor of Costa Mesa since March 2021. During that time, I've collaborated with my fellow councilmembers and our dedicated city staff to make Costa Mesa “better than ever.”
Look at what we have accomplished together so far.
— Mayor John Stephens
On Homelessness:
We opened a temporary Bridge Shelter in April 2019 and our permanent 72-bed facility in April 2021.
We have found permanent housing for 215 individuals and approximately 65 more are working on their housing plans.
We reestablished our anti-encampment ordinances through a Federal Court order, allowing us to keep our parks and public spaces free of encampments.
We recently obtained more than $10 million in funding to convert a motel into 88 units of permanent supportive housing for those at risk of homelessness, veterans, and seniors.
On Protecting our Neighborhoods and Public Safety:
We enacted, implemented, and defended reasonable regulations on Sober Living Homes. This addressed a major threat to our neighborhoods. We recently won our second Federal jury trial upholding these ordinances.
We sued the Federal and State governments to prevent early Covid-19 patients from being relocated to Fairview Developmental Center. Without this swift and decisive action, Costa Mesa likely would have been ground zero for the pandemic.
We hired a Police Chief who has served as the President of the California Police Chiefs Association.
We funded $5 million to remodel Police and Fire training facilities and upgrade two Fire Stations to state-of-the-art.
We’ve increased sworn police officers, including adding a sergeant to protect retail stores, and we’ve restored and reinforced special units such as the gang, narcotics, canine, and community policing.
On Economic Recovery:
Kept businesses open through $4 million in small business grants and partnerships with the Small Business Administration and the Chamber of Commerce.
Passed ordinances allowing outside use at restaurants and retail shops.
Established a Recovery Team with local business owners, non-profits, and other agencies to accelerate our recovery and established business assistance collaborative to advise businesses who were struggling to overcome the pandemic.
On Fiscal Management:
Costa Mesa was one of two cities in Orange County to increase its fund balances (reserves) during the pandemic. Costa Mesa was also rated AAA by Standard & Poors, the highest rating given by S&P.
On Providing Affordable Workforce and Senior Housing:
We worked with the State to develop affordable housing at Fairview Developmental Center and partnered
with Jamboree Housing to develop 60 units of affordable senior housing and developing a first-time home buyer's program using cannabis tax revenue.
On Protecting our Environment:
We invested millions in Active Transportation projects, including protected bike lanes on Merrimac and Bristol. Nine Electric Vehicle charging stations were installed at City Hall.
Costa Mesa won a LEED Gold Certification from U.S. Green Business Council, one of four cities in the US with this certification.
On Working Together:
“I am particularly proud that our entire City Council and City Staff are working together and showing each other respect, even when we might disagree. ”
In the recent words of Council watchdog Geoff West:
“Once again, I came away from a recent city council meeting feeling very impressed and proud of the quality of staff work and subsequent discussions... There is much more unity and harmony at City Hall these days.”
Costa Mesa Mayor John Stephens instituted a No-Kill animal shelter.